Florence under pressure from overtourism, new study finds

A new study confirms what many residents and visitors already experience on a daily basis: Florence remains under strong pressure from overtourism. According to the “Tourist Overcrowding Index” (Icst), compiled by the research institute Demoskopika, the Tuscan capital ranks among the destinations where the impact of mass tourism is considered “high.”

The index measures both the density of tourist presence in relation to land area and the intensity of presences compared to the resident population. These figures highlight how much pressure local infrastructure and communities endure due to high tourist flows.

Nationally, the podium is occupied by Rimini, Venice and Bolzano, with the Romagna coast leading in density of tourist presence (over 17,000 per square kilometer) and Bolzano topping the intensity chart, with nearly 69 tourists for every resident. Following in the top ten are Livorno, Naples, Milan, Trento, Rome, Verona and Trieste. Florence, together with Siena and Aosta, falls just below these but remains within the “high” alert level.

The Demoskopika report emphasizes that overtourism is no longer only a challenge for the travel industry but also a concern for the quality of life of residents. The researchers underline that urgent strategies are needed: better regulation of peak flows, promotion of alternative destinations, and a stronger push to spread arrivals across the entire year, including traditionally quieter months.

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